Shota Furuyama 10/11/26 Shota Furuyama 10/11/26

Why the New IHG Premier Select Card Deserves Attention for Japan Travel

Domestic flights, four-night stays, and a path to suites and lounges - why IHG’s newest card has my attention for Japan

Shota Furuyama 10/4/26 Shota Furuyama 10/4/26

What Points Don’t Cover: A Realistic Japan Budget for Two

Even with flights and hotels covered by points, a Japan trip still has a real cash cost. Here’s what we’re budgeting for 13 nights - from food and trains to matcha, luggage forwarding, and a few splurges

Shota Furuyama 9/20/26 Shota Furuyama 9/20/26

After Our Trip in July: I Wouldn’t Tell Everyone to Avoid Japan in Summer

Japan in July forced us to travel differently - and showed us why summer isn’t always a dealbreaker

Shota Furuyama 9/13/26 Shota Furuyama 9/13/26

How Many Hilton Points Do You Need for a Japan Trip? Budget-Friendly vs. High-End Award Stays

One 14-night trip, three hotel styles, and the Hilton points a couple would need for each

Shota Furuyama 8/9/26 Shota Furuyama 8/9/26

JAL Economy, Premium Economy or Business Class: What I’d Actually Book

Business Class is incredible. Premium Economy surprised me. And Economy? I’d happily fly it again

Shota Furuyama 7/12/26 Shota Furuyama 7/12/26

The 3 Mileage Programs I Actually Use for Flights to Japan

Not sure which airline miles to collect? Here's how I choose between American, Alaska, and JAL

Shota Furuyama 6/21/26 Shota Furuyama 6/21/26

How to Book Park Hyatt Kyoto With Points in 2026

Award nights are scarce, rates have changed, and the rules are different. Here's how I'd book Park Hyatt Kyoto in 2026

Shota Furuyama 6/14/26 Shota Furuyama 6/14/26

How I Find JAL Award Availability (Without Spending Hours Searching)

The tools, strategies, and mindset I use to find Japan Airlines award flights without wasting hours chasing unavailable seats

Shota Furuyama 6/7/26 Shota Furuyama 6/7/26

9 Common Mistakes First-Time Japan Travelers Make

Flights, hotels, points, pacing, and the lessons learned after years of traveling to Japan

Shota Furuyama 5/31/26 Shota Furuyama 5/31/26

The Beginner Strategy We Use for Booking Hotels in Japan With Points

How normal travelers use credit card points to save on great hotels in Japan - and occasionally splurge on once-in-a-lifetime stays

Shota Furuyama 5/24/26 Shota Furuyama 5/24/26

The Beginner Strategy We Use for Award Flights to Japan

How annual trips to Japan became a reality - and how we stopped paying full price for flights

Shota Furuyama 5/17/26 Shota Furuyama 5/17/26

The Japan Airbnb Myth vs Reality: Are They Better Than Hotels?

Five Airbnb stays across Japan taught us that the right accommodation can either elevate a trip - or quietly complicate it

Shota Furuyama 5/10/26 Shota Furuyama 5/10/26

14 Nights in Japan on Points: Final Thoughts, Mistakes, and Favorite Moments

This is Part 5 of 5 in our 14-night Japan trip on points

In this final part: Our biggest surprises, favorite experiences, and the travel lessons we’ll carry into every future Japan trip

Shota Furuyama 4/19/26 Shota Furuyama 4/19/26

Bones Before Meat: How I Plan Japan Trips That Actually Work

This is Part 2 of 5 in our 14-night Japan trip on points

In this part: How I approached planning a first trip to Japan for friends - balancing points, expectations, and leaving space for the unexpected

Shota Furuyama 4/12/26 Shota Furuyama 4/12/26

What Are Transferable Points & Which Ones Work Best for Japan?

You don’t need to master every program to get started. A few good strategies and some flexible points can take you surprisingly far - especially in Japan